Australian researcher discovers promising treatment for depression

that combines gentle brain stimulation using weak electric current and thinking exercises. In a small pilot study, symptoms of depression had gone completely by their 3 wk follow-up in about a third. more...

Mental health care enters digital age

$1.8 billion funding boost to NDIS

And hundreds of thousands of people suffering less severe mental problems who currently access government-funded services but don’t qualify for the NDIS are being assured their help will continue. ... Assistant Minister for Social Services, Liberal Senator Mitch Fifield, has provided new funding and a series of guarantees on mental health just weeks before 200,000 mentally ill Australians were set to lose $250 million in funding for services that help them live in the community. more...

Crippling workload: mental illness in the Australian workplace

Mental illness is now the main reason Australian workers take extended sick leave or become incapacitated. The costs are estimated to be close to $10 billion a year and growing, and reforms are being held back by stigma and prejudice. more...

'skunk' cannabis: drug could be responsible for paranoia and schizophrenia

A potent strain of cannabis is responsible for 25% of new psychosis cases including paranoia and schizophrenia - UK study finds. Some 60,000 people in Britain are thought to be living with mental health conditions worsened by smoking “skunk” cannabis. more...